Knife for tapping rubber-trees.



.Q Q. BRADFORD.

' KNIFE FOR-TAPPING RUBBER TREES.

Patented Nov. 23, 1909.

0" M W N I l WIT/ 8358.-

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

QUINCY Q. BRADFORD, OF PALOLO VALLEY, HONOLULU, TERRITORY OF HAWAII.

KNIFE FOR T AIIING RUBBER-TREES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. .23, 1909.

(DEDICATED TO THE PUBLIC.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, QUINCY Q. BRADFORD, an employee of the Department of Agriculture of the United States of America, residing at Palolo Valley, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, (whose post-office address is Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii,) have invented a new and useful Improvement in Knives for Tapping Rubber-Trees.

This application is made under the act of March 3, 1883, chapter 1&8 (22 Stat, 625) and the invention herein described and claimed may be used by the Government of the United bt-ates or any of its officers or employees in the prosecution of work for the Government, or any person in the United States, without payment to me of any royalty thereon.

The object of the invention is to produce a knife suitable for use in tapping rubber trees, and one which can be easily and satisfactorily handled by an inexperienced operator without danger of injuring the cambium of rubber trees. Heretofore, knives adapted for use in tapping such trees were so constructed that a person not an adept in manipulating the same was likely to work injury to the cainbium of the tree. The knife constituting my invention is structurally arranged so as to avoid any such possibllity. Furthermore, the excismg blades onmy knife are all in one piece, thereby giving the operator more assurance against the possible loss of one or more blades as frequently occurs in the use of the more complex tapping knives.

The nature, characteristic features, and scope of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, forming a part hereof, wherein Figure l is a perspective view of a device embodying features of the invention. Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the support or shank. Fig. 3 is an edge view thereof. Fig.

l is a perspective view of the cutting element; and, Fig. 5 is an edge View thereof.

Referring to the drawings, a represents the cutting edge or blade, approximately one-quarter of an inch in length, adapted for use in making the first incision in rubber trees, cutting the bark vertically so that it may be easily removed from the trees. The

. cutting blades Z2 b, are used for making the first incision in the tree, after the outer bark has been removed. This incision is termed the main incision, and in order to scientifically control the flow of latex ,it is essential that this main incision shall be ke t open or freshened at various intervals. Therefore, to accomplish this result, I employ the blades d and e, which are adapted for the purpose of opening or freshening up the main incision made by the blades 6 Z). The blades d and e constitute a part of the cutting element shown in Fig. 4., are of the same size and adapted for the same purpose, the only difference in use being that the blade d is used for freshening up the right side of the main incision effected by the blades Z) 6, and the blade 6 performs the same function on the left side of such incision. Both of said blades d and 6 will cut as deep as the blades Z) 6, and a thirty-second of an inch in width, more or less, the width depending upon the variety of rubber tree operated on and the desire of the person manipulating the instrument. In the event the operator wishes to have the blades, d and 6, cut wider than a thirty-second of an inch, it will only be necessary for him to file a small portion off of the tongue or stationary gage f. This tongue or stationary gage performs a two-fold purpose, first, it pro liibits the blades (Z and 0 cutting any deeper in rubber trees than the main incision. wrought by the blades 6 b; secondly, it prevents the said blades d and 6 cutting any wider than the operator desires. The blades 6 b can be further used to cut into any little hollow that may not be possible for the blades cl and e to reach, and the blades (Z and 6 may be further devoted to the purpose of paring away the sides of old incisions on rubber trees.

9 represents a curved groove or slot in the shank or support, Z, and 71. designates the perpendicular groove in the cutting element, shown in Fig. t, and the said cutting element is attached or fastened to the support Z by means of an adjustable screw, 2', which passes through the grooves g and lb. The grooves g and h are of sufficient length and width to permit the adjustable screw 2' full play in order that said cutting element may be elevated or lowered or tilted from one side to the other, thereby allowing the op erator to arrange the cutting element so as to perform his duty of tapping rubber trees, including the work of cutting away the bark thereon, making the main incision, and keeping the same opened or freshened up and paring away the substance that accumulates around such main incision.

0 represents the stationary gage or guide lug forming a part of the shank or support Z, and its purpose is to prevent the blades Z) Z) from cutting any deeper than is desired and 02, represents a stationary gage or guide lug forming a part of the shank or support Z, and which stationary gages or guide lugs c and 72- are arranged on the shank or support Z so as to permit ample space for full play in lowering, raising or tilting the cutting element so that the blades a, Z) Z), d and 6 may beproperly arranged for making incisions.

m indicates the handle, attached to the shank or support Z, which affords a means for the operator to properly control the implement.

I11 practicing my invention, I elevate the cutting element, shown in Fig. 4, so that the cutting edge or blade (1 projects its required length, approximately one-quarter of an inch, above the shank or support Z, in order that said cutting edge may be appropriately used in cutting away the bar; of the rubber tree, as hereinbefore described. After the said cutting edge or blade has been properly arranged to perform its work, as aforesaid, the said cutting element is fastened and made rigid to the shank or support Z, by means of the adjustable screw 2' being passed through the grooves g and h, and then tightened or screwed. This action enables the cutting element to become rigid and permits the cutting to be satisfactorily performed. \Vhen it is desired to use the blades Z) Z) or the blades (Z and e, the adjustable screw z' is partially unscrewed and the cutting element necessarily falls, or is lowered to a proper position for use, below the bottom of the shank or su port Z, and is again made rigid and firm by tightening the adjustable screw 2'. The blades Z) Z are ready for use in making the main incision in the rubber tree, and the blades d and e are likewise ready for use in opening or freshening up Such main incision. If it is desired to tilt the cutting element from one side to the other, it is only necessary to partially unscrew the adjustable screw 2', and arrange the cuttin element in the aosition wanted then to make the cutting element firm and rigid for accompllshmg its work, the adjustable screw 2' should be screwed tightly.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In an implement of the character described, the combination with a slotted shank, a cutting blade having a slot intersecting the first named slot, clamping means passing through the slot and guide lugs on the shank,

one of the lugs being extended to regulate the depth of the cut, substantially as specitied.

2. In an implement of the cha acter described, comprising a handle, a slotted shank,

a cutting element having a slot intersecting the first named slot, clamping means passing through the slot, guide lugs on the shank,

one of which said lugs being extended to regulate the depth of the cut, and means for i raising or lowering or tilting the said cutting element with respect to the shank, substantially as specified.

3. In an implement of the character described, comprising a support or shank havmg a slot therein, a cutting element com prising two blades arranged parallel to each other at 1ts lower end, one blade at its upper end, a longitudinal slot in said cutting element, clamping means passing through the slot for carrying the cutting element on the support or shank, means for raising or lowering or tilting the cutting element with respect to the shank, guide lugs on the shank and a tongue projecting between the parallel blades, one of the said lugs and the tongue being arranged to regulate the depth of the cut, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof, I atfix my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

Q. Q. BRADFORD. \Vitnesses:

A. T. LONGLEY, E. V. imex. 

